My Surprise Mate

Dane moved Kyra’s bassinet from the living room into our bedroom.

As I got Kyra situated in our room, Dane went outside to talk to the guys and fill them in.

He wasn’t gone long and told me our house would be guarded from now until Devin is found.I had this gut feeling there was more going on than we realized.I couldn’t sleep at all, and Dane slept off and on.I lay there watching Kyra most of the night and every little noise I heard had me sitting up in bed.

Kyra woke up around five that morning and I decided to stay up for the day.

After getting us both dressed, I headed to the kitchen to make breakfast.

Kyra seemed to be her normal happy self just like any other morning, blissfully unaware of what was going on.

Unsure if all three guys had stayed outside all night or not, I opened the front door and stepped out to find Zayd standing near the steps, "Good morning," I told him.

He smiled at me as he walked up the steps, "Morning dear.You should still be asleep."

He pulled me in for a hug.

Zayd and Adria acted like parents I never had, and they always seemed to help ease my worries.

"I couldn’t sleep and, besides, Kyra woke up hungry this morning."

he smiled and nodded his head, "well she is a growing girl, and we tend to eat more than normal humans."

"l was going to offer some breakfast and coffee but wasn’t sure or Colby.

"I'll take some coffee," Zayd replied.

"Me too!" I turned to find Ash walking toward the porch.

Neither of them looked as tired as I felt this morning.I led them into the kitchen and started pouring them each a cup while they sat down at the table.

"Good morning little princess," Zayd cooed to Kyra.She smiled brightly at him as he picked her up.

"Did y’all stay outside the whole night?" I questioned them.

"Yes and no,"

Ash started, "Four people were guarding all night, but we did rotate out with three of our best warriors to be able to squeeze in a little sleep."

I nodded in understanding as I handed them their mugs.

"Don’t forget Adria was here periodically through the night too."

"I had no idea she was out here too."

I watched as Zayd and Ash exchanged a knowing look, "What you have never seen is pissed off Adria when her family is being threatened.She wasn’t necessarily coming out to help guard but more to make sure we were doing it the ‘right’ way."

Both guys began to laugh, "she had us stationed around the house so there wasn’t a single side left unprotected, and every 15 minutes we had to switch spots to keep us alert."

Zayd was shaking his head as he spoke.

Dane walked into the kitchen wearing only a pair of sweatpants that hung dangerously low on his hips.

"Did we wake you?" I asked as he wrapped his arms around me and rested his head on top of mine.

He was watching Zayd playing with Kyra.

"No, you didn’t wake me.It’s just time to get up."

The front door opened as Adria came rushing in, have no idea how much trouble you two were fixing to be in." she pointed her finger at Ash and Zayd.

"Holly invited us in for coffee,"

Zayd started telling her as he walked toward her with Kyra, "you know I would never leave this angel unprotected."

Adria sighed, "I know honey, I just...I won’t let them get to her."

Zayd handed Kyra to her, "None of us will,"

Ash finally spoke.

I looked at Dane when there was a light knock at the door, "It’s Genesis and Blaze,"

Ash said as he went to open the door.

"Good morning,"

Genesis greeted as she followed Blaze into the house.

Blaze went straight to Adria and began talking to Kyra.

After setting Kyra on her playmat, Adria came and sat down at the table with us, "Should we have our meeting now or later in the office?"

She cut straight to the point.

"We just need Colby here and we can do it now.No reason to wait." I answered.

"He’s on his way,"

Dane reached over, slipping his hand into mine.

seat at the table with

received

noticed Dane and Zayd exchanging looks the whole time I was talking, making me feel as if they knew something the rest of us

asked, looking back and forth between the two

some things that just haven’t

my hand

eyebrows as I stared at

questioned further when he didn’t elaborate friendly, maybe a little too friendly, and when

to believe that Devin and Nyla were able to not

disrespect from anyone.He’s a very strict

want to hurt him," I repeated what Jarek had told

"I wish that I could believe that babe, but in all honesty, Apollo could have taken them both down without hurting them.His command may not work on Devin, just as it didn’t seem to affect you, but it would have

met and our conversations since then, trying to think of anything that seemed odd, but other than what Dane pointed out, I couldn’t remember anything that would make me feel

you think Apollo is a part

at Zayd this time who had

a part of this than any of us realized.I know this isn’t something you want to hear,

Zayd told me gently.

the thought of being betrayed by my father, the father lam just starting to

think you could get

about this prophecy.Ash and Colby, I need training kicked back up and regular sweeps up

a bow of heads, a resounding, "Yes Alpha" filled the

as everyone slowly left, "When your dad calls, you need to act normal.Don’t let on that

told me as he sat down next to me.I was now sitting on

really in the

soon.I have some phone calls to make.Do you want to stay home

the packhouse." I smiled at

out walking around by yourself, especially if you

nodded at

move would be? We walked together to the packhouse, stopping

door to his where Adria and Genesis

had large books in front of them that looked to be hundreds of years

"Any luck?"

as I sat Kyra down in her bounce seat.I’m pretty sure Kyra has toys, playpens, and play mats

shaking their

Adria replied.

carefully flipped through the pages as I

one that it is rare, but the Moon Goddess has appeared in dreams before.But it doesn’t really go into details

as she rose from her

need to go get Blaze and

just as Dane walked through the door, "Any luck?" he asked as he picked her

stood stretching her limbs out, "Not yet dear.Where is

was still on the phone; he said he would meet us downstairs for lunch,"

clock hanging on the wall above the door, surprised

explain Kyra’s

little girl isn’t about to miss a meal,

downstairs together, meeting up with everyone as we

had sat Kyra in her highchair

help but realize that even though Apollo has been friendly since meeting

on Kyra and how she has been

think it was

I would ask about Devin, the prophecy, or how things were going there, Apollo would always quickly change the subject back

be," I murmured lost

should

one of worry, but he

help but wonder if Apollo could be in on this with Devin? I mean, I know that Dane doesn’t really trust

to believe that Apollo’s intentions had been anything but good—unfortunately, it looked like he had

house so they could take a nap while the rest of us went

this," I

shot up in surprise

little too friendly when he was here.He hasn’t been able to come back to visit in person since, but I have regular phone calls with him.Every phone call is about me and Kyra, mainly Kyra though.Anytime I ask about Devin, or how things are going there, or the prophecy, he is quick to change the subject or gives me very vague answers in return.Then there is the whole "attack".. that really doesn’t make any sense now to be able to do this on his own, but Apollo is.What if Devin is nothing more than a foot soldier, so to

in silence once I finished spilling

the office to

Apollo is playing a part, but whether he is the brains or not I can’t

head as I thought about

did the phone call

I looked at Zayd.

on the phone before lunch, and I am assuming or hoping, it was with

he was planning to come and speak with us.He wouldn’t

"Why not talk on

smiled at me, "Vampires are very private, secretive

down, "And your pacing is about

down with a sigh, wishing

Colby, Dane looked at Zayd,

Dane to continue, "I explained everything that was going on.He’s one of the very few people I fully trust to discuss this with.He asked about the bordering land.He wants to move

whole pack, but then again, there aren't too many things he wouldn’t

he needed to move his pack next

want to do that?"

said his loyalty lies with his family and, as far as the Royal Pack goes, his loyalty is with you.He’s never been a huge fan of Apollo’s,"

was shocked to hear his loyalty wasn’t with Apollo, but

he has been willing to stand beside us

have Adria call him

as he stood from his chair, "remind Ash and Colby that Dominick will

left us alone in the office, the silence once again filling the